Mounting system for flat panel displays in electronic instruments

Abstract

A display mounting system for electronic instruments includes an elastomeric mount having a continuous frame that secures an electrically conductive, optically transmissive plate in alignment with a viewing surface of the display. A compressible ridge protruding from an internal surface of the frame is interposed between the plate and the viewing surface and disposed about the perimeter of the plate, forming an environmental seal between a rear surface of the plate and the viewing surface of the display. A first series of tabs distributed along a front edge of the frame adjacent to the internal surface engage the front surface of the plate while a second series of tabs distributed along a rear edge of the frame adjacent to the internal surface and opposite from the front edge engage a back surface of the display. Tension in the continuous frame between the first and the second series of tabs biases the plate toward the display and maintains the environmental seal between the plate and display during servicing of the display, eliminating the need for a controlled servicing environment. A planar mating surface protruding from an internal surface of the continuous frame uniformly distributes mechanical forces on the display, reducing mechanical stresses on the display when it is installed onto an electronic instrument. A pair of optionally included hinges enables a circuit board to be captured adjacent to the back surface of the display.